Abstract

This summary describes the main results of the research contract 7210/KA/607-F-1.3/88, Application of FeE460, a comparative investigation towards normalized (N), quenched and tempered (QT), and thermomechanically treated (TM) steel types. The steels have been investigated for: mechanical properties and microstructure after a weld thermal simulation; cold cracking susceptibility; mechanical properties of test welds; mechanical properties after deformation at different temperatures; calculation of the price effect of application of FeE460 instead of FeE355. The results of the weld thermal simulation programme established that acceptable hardness values can be obtained with all three steels. The cold cracking experiments showed that for a very low hydrogen content both the QT and TM material could be welded without preheating. The N material required preheating for all hydrogen levels. The mechanical properties of the test welds showed that the TM material is less good than the QT material, but better than the N material. Only very high heating and cooling rates , together with reduced peak temperatures led to acceptable results in the deformation tests. The general conclusion of the research programme is that FeE460 can be welded and used in a way very similar to FeE355. The QT material is to be preferred, especially for application at temperatures below 0C. 0C.